Device for detachable connection between two elements

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a removable linking device  1  between a first element  3  and a second element ( 2 ).  
     It comprises a reception cradle ( 13 ) delimited by the first element ( 3 ), on the one hand, and a connecting means ( 20 ) integral to the second element ( 2 ) on the other hand, the said means ( 20 ) being connected to the cradle ( 13 ) on one side by holding means ( 21 ) and, on the other, by a flexible means ( 22 ) which can be eliminated to allow the separation of the two elements. The cradle ( 13 ) delimits a reception space ( 14 ) in which the connecting means ( 20 ) is inserted. The cradle ( 13 ) delimits a reception wall ( 15 ) of the holding means ( 21 ).  
     Application in ticket reading apparatus.

[0001] The technical domain of this invention is that of linking devicesbetween two elements, in particular between a screen and its support.

[0002] Information technology units such as laptop computers orscanners, and in particular scanners for reading games tickets consistof a casing on which a screen is fixed. The latter often opens byturning about an axle of rotation integral to the casing. One of themain disadvantages of this linking is that it cannot be dismantled,making the screen irremovable in relation to the casing. The result ofthis irremovability is that, during a preventive or correctivemaintenance operation, it is necessary to take away the complete unit,even though the fault is very often located on one or other of theelements, but rarely on both of them. Moreover, this irremovabilityobliges maintenance operators to transport complete units (casing andscreen) and therefore to handle large volumes of equipment.

[0003] The aim of this invention is therefore to alleviate theabove-described disadvantages principally by making it possible toremove a screen simply and quickly in relation to a casing.

[0004] The subject of the invention is therefore a removable linkingdevice between a first element and a second element, characterised inthat it comprises a reception cradle delimited by the first element, onthe one hand, and a connecting means integral to the second element onthe other hand, the said means being connected to the cradle on one sideby holding means and, on the other, by a flexible means which can beeliminated to allow the separation of the two elements.

[0005] Advantageously, the cradle delimits a reception space in whichthe connecting means is inserted.

[0006] According to one characteristic of the invention, the cradledelimits a reception wall of the holding means.

[0007] According to another characteristic, the holding means delimits afork with two branches between which the reception wall is engaged, onebranch being equipped with a journal cooperating with the reception wallin order to ensure the rotation of the connecting means with respect tothe cradle.

[0008] According to yet another characteristic, the reception wall has acomplementary profile to that of the journal.

[0009] According to yet another characteristic, the reception wall andthe fork are in mutual abutment when the two elements are in thesnap-fastened position.

[0010] Advantageously, the flexible means consists of a resilient supplewall equipped along its free edge with a notch intended to cooperatewith a lug delimited by the cradle.

[0011] According to yet another characteristic of the invention, thesecond element is articulated with respect to the connecting means.

[0012] According to yet another characteristic, the second elementcontains a wall in the shape of an arc of a circle cooperating with acomplementary wall of the cradle defining a housing in which the saidwall engages in order to limit the travel of the second element withrespect to the first.

[0013] The first element may be represented by a casing of an electronicapparatus and the second element by a screen connected to thisapparatus. The device may comprise a means for adjusting the inclinationof the screen with respect to the casing, this adjusting meansadvantageously consisting of a strut cooperating with a multipositionsupport.

[0014] A very first advantage of the device according to the inventionlies in the ease and rapidity with which a screen can be disconnectedwith respect to the casing.

[0015] Another advantage lies in the simplification of maintenanceoperations and in a reduction in the costs thereof.

[0016] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the inventionwill emerge more clearly on reading the description given hereafter byway of indication in relation to the drawings, in which:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the linking device betweentwo elements according to the invention,

[0018]FIG. 2 is a section along A-A of FIG. 1,

[0019]FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view, along B-B, illustrating thestructure of the two elements,

[0020]FIG. 4 is a view showing the initial position of the cradle andthe connecting means,

[0021]FIGS. 5 and 6 are views illustrating the device during attachingand snap-fastening, and

[0022]FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a means for adjusting theinclination of the second element.

[0023] As previously indicated, the device according to the inventionmakes it possible to removably connect two elements to each other, andin such a way that they are articulated one with respect to the other.In fact, in numerous applications it is extremely useful to be able torapidly disassemble two parts of an electronic or mechanical unit so asto be able to separate them when an intervention is required on one ofthem. Thus, in practice, and in order to clarify the interest of theinvention, the first element may be an electronic casing of a machine,and the second element a screen connected thereto. FIG. 1 represents alinking device 1 in a schematic form which shows the articulation of asecond element or screen 2 with respect to a first element or casing 3.This casing may support, for example, a scanner 4 and a keyboard 5 foruse as a games ticket reader by a tobacconist in a very particularapplication of the invention. Of course, this casing 3 may support allthe elements necessary for any kind of use which may be envisaged by themanufacturer. The screen 2, of LCD type, in colour, with an activematrix, or any other type, is articulated about an axle of rotation 6with respect to the casing. The linking device has, at the edge 7 whichis common to the casing 3 and the screen 2, at least one rotational pin8 and at least one removable link 9.

[0024]FIG. 2 displays for greater clarity the design of the rotationalpin 8. This conventionally consists of a journal 10 of generalcylindrical form integral to the edge of the screen 2. This journal 10is complementary with a recess 11 made in the casing 3.

[0025] In a similar way, the recess may be made in the screen opposite ajournal coming out from the casing.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a sectional view along B-B illustrating moreparticularly the construction of the removable linking device 1. Thesecond element or screen 2 is partially represented, the front face 12of the latter being oriented towards a user. The first element 3 orcasing is also partially represented. The elements 2 and 3 are shown inthe disconnected position to aid comprehension.

[0027] The casing 3 is equipped with a cradle 13 which defines areception space 14 delimiting a reception wall 15 and a lug 16. The wall15 has a semi-cylindrical profile 17 oriented towards the screen 2 andis extended by a longitudinal wall 18 and a wall 19 in the shape of anarc of a circle. The second element or screen 2 is extended in thedrawing in its lower part by a connecting means 20 consisting of holdingmeans 21 and a flexible means 22. The holding means delimit a fork withtwo branches 23 a and 23 b between which the wall 15 is brought toengage. The branch 23 a is equipped with a journal 24 intended tocooperate with the wall 15 to ensure the rotation of the connectingmeans 21 with respect to the cradle 13. Of course, the reception wall 15has a complementary profile to that of the journal 24. The flexiblemeans 22 consists of a resilient supple wall 25 extending the twobranches 23 in the form of a loop and equipped along its free edge witha notch 26 intended to cooperate with the lug 16 of the cradle.

[0028] In the figure, it can be seen that the journal 24 supports anaxle 27 which makes it possible for the screen to rotate with respect tothe connecting means 21. The screen 2 is equipped in a complementarymanner with a skirt 28 in extension of its face before ending in theform of an arc of a circle according to a profile corresponding to thatof the wall 19 of the cradle.

[0029] To attach the screen 2 and the casing 3, the following method isused. The screen 2 is placed above the casing 3 as shown in FIG. 3 andthe connecting means 20 is engaged in the free space 14 by placing thejournal 24 on the surface 17. In this position, shown in FIG. 4, theskirt 28 comes into position against the wall 19 in concordance withtheir shape. In this position, the screen is in abutment against thecasing via the application of the skirt 28 against the wall 19. In thisfigure, the resilient wall 25 is represented in the prestressed positionby pinching of the loop which is retracted with respect to the cradle.The linking of the screen 2 with the casing 3 is carried out byimparting to the screen a rotational movement along the arrow F after afirst rotation represented in FIG. 5. The introduction of the connectingmeans in the space 14 of the cradle causes in a general manner thecentring of the screen 2 with respect to the casing 3 and moreparticularly the centring of the journal 24 on the surface 17. Thislimitation is conceived as is necessary and sufficient to allow thecomplete engagement or disengagement of the screen with respect to thecasing. The travel of the screen with respect to the casing is thuslimited.

[0030] In the semi-snap-fastened position represented in FIG. 5, it canbe seen that the reception wall 15 and the fork 23 are in mutualabutment. In this position, the arm 23 a of the fork is bearing on thewall 15 while the other arm 23 b of the fork comes to bear on the wall18. The connecting means 20 is therefore in a locked position and cannotbe separated from the cradle and the locking of the screen 2 can thustake place.

[0031] This complete locking is represented in FIG. 6 which shows thescreen 2 completely integral to the casing 3. To achieve this, theflexible wall 25 is released and catches on the lug 16 of the cradle 13.As an alternative, the flexible wall can be eliminated, it being made tobear upon the lug until it disappears by rotation of the screen.

[0032] When the connecting means is locked, the screen 2 can turn freelybetween the final position represented in FIG. 6 by rotation about theaxle 27 and an initial position (not shown) in which the skirt 28 comesinto abutment against the wall 18.

[0033] To separate the screen 2 from the casing 3, one begins, followingFIG. 6, by first of all eliminating the notch 26 of the flexible wall 25in order to release the lug 16. The screen is then turned; its rotationin the opposite direction to the arrow F drives the connecting means 20which thus emerges from the space 14 to occupy the position representedin FIG. 4. All that remains to do is to remove the screen by lifting itup in order to release the cradle as shown in FIG. 3. One then need onlydisconnect the cable from the screen in order to totally separate thescreen from the casing and work on the casing or replace this screen.

[0034]FIG. 7 shows the means 30 for adjusting the inclination of thescreen 2 with respect to the casing 3. The latter consists of a strut 31connected by one of its ends to the casing 3 via an axle 32. Thislinking allows the rotation of the strut 30 about the axle 32. Theopposite end of the strut 31 is resting in a multiposition support 33integral to the screen 2. The positioning of the strut 31 with respectto the multiposition support 33 makes it possible to vary theinclination of the screen 2 with respect to the casing 3. The detachmentof the screen is not hindered by this adjusting means 30 because thestrut 31 is only resting in notches made in the multiposition support 33and may be easily detached.

1. Removable linking device (1) between a first element (3) and a secondelement (2), characterised in that it comprises a reception cradle (13)delimited by the first element (3), on the one hand, and a connectingmeans (20) integral to the second element (2), on the other hand, thesaid means (20) being connected to the cradle (13) on one side byholding means (21) and, on the other, by a flexible means (22) which canbe eliminated to allow the separation of the two elements.
 2. Removablelinking device according to claim 1, wherein the cradle (13) delimits areception space (14) in which the connecting means (20) is inserted. 3.Removable linking device according to claim 1, wherein the cradle (13)delimits a reception wall (15) of the holding means (21).
 4. Removablelinking device according to claim 1, wherein the holding means (21)delimits a fork with two branches (23 a, 23 b) between which thereception wall (15) is engaged.
 5. Removable linking device according toclaim 4, wherein one branch (23 a) is equipped with a journal (24)cooperating with the reception wall (15) in order to ensure the rotationof the connecting means (20) with respect to the cradle (13). 6.Removable linking device according to claim 5, wherein the receptionwall (15) has a complementary profile (17) to that of the journal (24).7. Removable linking device according to claim 6, wherein the receptionwall (15) and the fork (23) are in mutual abutment when the two elements(2,3) are in the snap-fastened position.
 8. Removable linking deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the flexible means (22) consists of aresilient supple wall (25) equipped along its free edge with a notch(26) intended to cooperate with a lug (16) delimited by the cradle (13).9. Removable linking device according to claim 1, wherein the secondelement (2) is articulated with respect to the connecting means (20).10. Removable linking device according to claim 9, wherein the secondelement (2) contains a wall (19) in the shape of an arc of a circlecooperating with a complementary wall (28) of the cradle defining ahousing in which the said wall engages in order to limit the travel ofthe second element with respect to the first.
 11. Removable linkingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the first element (3) isrepresented by an electronic casing and the second element (2) a screenconnected to this apparatus.
 12. Removable linking device according toclaim 11, wherein a means (30-33) for adjusting the inclination of thescreen (2) with respect to the casing (3) is provided.
 13. Removablelinking device according to claim 12, wherein the adjusting means(30-33) comprises a strut (31) cooperating with a multiposition support(33).